Embarrassing question about bowel movement frequency?

Question

This is about my girlfriend, not me...so, she claims that she only has BM's about once a week. I told her that doesn't sound healthy to me (I do about once or twice a day), and she just laughs. She thinks it's all a joke for some reason, but I'm worried that there might be something wrong with her.

Is this really something to worry about? I've never before heard of someone doing this so infrequently. She's 22, I don't know how long this has been going on for but at least 5-10 years because she says that it's a running joke with her family. It really kind of makes me angry that they just laugh about this because it really doesn't sound right to me and I'm afraid that she might have a health issue.

So does anybody know if this is something to worry about, that she should look into soon, or is everybody just different like that? Once a week though? She does eat high fiber foods once in a while too so it's not just that.

And something else I should add...this is really gross but it might be insightful...she says that when she does have to, it's really bad...like she sometimes clogs the toilet.

So it seems like whatever waste there is, builds up over that long period of not going. This can't be normal.

I have been working with her to better her diet and she has been very responsive. She's 5'5" and went from 137 pounds to 125 pounds over the past 6 months through a better diet and exercise. She does eat too much fast food still though, and I'm working on that but it's hard with her job.

Answer 1

Well if she's only having one bowel movement a week, that is not enough. Normal bowel movements should be anywhere from 3 times a day to 3 a week, no more and no less.
What is her diet like? She needs to increase her water and fiber intake as well as fruits and vegetables.
If this continues or has been going on for a while already, a visit to her doctor would be advisable. Usually these things are problems that can easily be fixed.

Answer 2

It really depends on the person. Once a week is a little bit on the long side but the important thing is how difficult it is for her to go - if the stool is hard, dry, pellets, painful or if there is any bleeding, or if she has to strain a lot, then she may well have constipation issues. If she has bloating or discomfort or cramping, this could be another sign.

However, individual patterns vary, and if she doesn't eat a lot, or has a diet low in fibre and other residue, she may just have a slow system. If the stool is easy to pass without straining, then it may well be normal.

Lots of things can cause constipation - diet, dehydration, lack of exercise, medications, recreational drugs, various health problems... but normal is a varying scale from a couple of times a day to once or twice a week.

So no real answer for you, I'm afraid, but the main issue is comfort and consistency - normal poop should be a smooth soft well formed sausage that is easy to pass without straining or discomfort.

Answer 3

Once a week does not sound like she is eating a healthy diet. Try to work more healthy foods into her diet slowly. You don't want to overload her system. If she is generally in good health and a good weight that may be normal for her, but an extra dose of good fresh veggies won't hurt her either.

Answer 4

Usually 1 a week. Sometimes 3 times a week. My husband is a physician & he has never said anything to me about it & we have been married for 15 years.
My mom is the same way & so is my sister -in-law.
Must be a female thing....One more thing for guys to scratch their heads over about how we females work huh?

Answer 5

bowel movememts do vary from person to person but it could be because shes not having enough fibre in her diet so encoraging her to eat more fresh raw fruit and vegtables and wholegrain bread and cereals would be a good idea aswell as drinking more water and exersizing :)

Answer 6

once a week sounds unhealthy to me too. maybe you should suggest her seeing a doctor. you can use symptom checker on webmd.com also...i turn to it for alot of things...its really helps out. it might at least be able to give you some ideas of what it could be and some things to do.

Answer 7

Nothing at all to worry about. Everyone has their own normal. If it doesn't bother her, then don't let it bother you.
Once a week is fine...